Marblehead firefighters hold annual memorial service

Wednesday

Jun 12, 2013 at 12:01 AMJun 12, 2013 at 12:22 PM

Early Sunday morning, local firefighters, members of the public and public officials, including Town Administrator Jeff Chelgren and Marblehead’s Board of Selectmen, gathered around Waterside Cemetery’s firefighters monument to partake in Firefighters Memorial Sunday Service.

William Dowd / marblehead@wickedlocal.com

Early Sunday morning, local firefighters, members of the public and public officials, including Town Administrator Jeff Chelgren and Marblehead’s Board of Selectmen, gathered around Waterside Cemetery’s firefighters monument to partake in Firefighters Memorial Sunday Service.

The long-standing tradition, practiced by fire departments and firefighters across the country, gives those who gather an opportunity to, as Marblehead Fire Department Chief Jason Gilliland noted during the service, “pay our respects and reflect on the selfless contributions made by our departed brothers and sisters.”

“Thank you all for joining us today as we remember and pay tribute to our fallen brethren,” said Marblehead Fire Department Union President Doug Knowles, opening the service to a crowd of 80 or so people. “Unfortunately, this year, we honor four of our own, John Lord, Elmer Phillips, Franks Merrill and Joe Phillips.”

According to Knowles, each of the Marblehead firemen who had died within the year had possessed the character and the grit that make firefighters great, qualities that have their roots in the 17th century, when fire departments had yet to be funded by municipalities but rather were a private enterprise.

“Back in the old days, cities and towns had multiple rival fire departments,” said Knowles, “and the concept was whoever put the fire out got paid by the insurance company.”

He asked everyone to “picture the chaos” when multiple fire companies showed up to secure a fire hydrant, then known as a “fire plug,” with a blazing building in the background.

“This would almost always result in a fistfight and all-out brawls between rival fire departments,” said Knowles, adding that these early incidents contributed to the strong, family-like fellowship that exists among firefighters.

He explained the at all four firefighters honored were known for “being tough, stubborn and never backing down.”

“All good traits for firefighters,” said Knowles.

Thanking the Marblehead Fire Department for all that it does, Selectman Judy Jacobi, speaking on behalf of the board and the town, said that the department has always had a reputation within the community as being a family and for remembering fallen heroes.

“I just have to say, we feel that the whole town is a family, guarded by the fire department,” said Jacobi.

She added that when she goes past the Franklin Street fire station every day, she gets a “sense of security” knowing firefighters are always there, ready to put out a blaze but also as first responders to other situations, too.

“So from a grateful town, thank you,” Jacobi concluded.

In Gilliland’s speech, he noted those who, along with firefighters, also make sacrifices by association.

“While it’s fitting and proper that we meet here at the firefighters’ memorial plot each year to remember our departed brothers and sisters, we would be remiss if we did not acknowledge and thank the families of those loved ones, and the sacrifices that those families have made over the years,” said Gilliland.

Calling firefighting the noblest profession, he concluded, “It’s inherent that we should never forget those who have gone before us, because they have made us who we are today.””

With Gilliland’s help, family members of the four firefighters who were remembered during the service placed wreaths next to the monument after resident Julie Hahnke played “Amazing Graze” on the bagpipes.

Everyone then headed over to the Gerry 5, which sponsored a hearty breakfast for the firemen, friends and family to enjoy.